Question

Think: Consider the quote, “History is written by the victors.”

Read: Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown

Summary: Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown is a historical account of the systematic displacement and destruction of Native American tribes during the westward expansion of the United States. The book is structured in a way that presents a detailed chronology of key events, battles, and policies that led to the suffering and eventual near-extermination of Native American peoples.

Passage 1: In Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Dee Brown structures her text by focusing on the perspective of Native Americans during the westward expansion, highlighting their suffering, displacement, and destruction. One powerful passage describes the massacre at Sand Creek:

"On the morning of November 29, 1864, a large force of about seven hundred men, mostly soldiers, attacked a camp of Cheyenne and Arapaho. The Indians had been given assurances of protection by the U.S. government, but the soldiers, under Colonel John Chivington, slaughtered over 150 men, women, and children. Chivington’s men burned the village, mutilated the bodies, and took trophies of the massacre."

This passage illustrates the brutality and injustice faced by Native American communities as settlers and the U.S. government expanded westward. Brown’s account emphasizes the violation of trust and the violent treatment of indigenous peoples.

Passage 2: In contrast, a passage from The Pioneer Girl by Laura Ingalls Wilder reflects the sense of adventure and progress many Americans associated with westward expansion:

"We had to take care of ourselves and work hard, but the land was free for the taking. Every morning we woke to the sound of birds singing, and the open plains were ours to farm and to build. There was a great sense of hope as we settled this new territory, and I felt proud to be part of making this country great."

This passage captures the optimism and determination of settlers who saw westward expansion as an opportunity to build a better life.

Put it together in your mind: Consider these two differing perspectives of the same historical event, Westward Expansion. How are they connected, and how do they differ? How can differing perspectives of the same event provide a deeper understanding of history?

Write: Choose one of the following to answer in the space below: Be sure to use the graphic organizers to help you write your answer.
Option 1: Write a paragraph explaining how these two passages—one from Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee describing the Sand Creek Massacre and the other from The Pioneer Girl reflecting on the experience of westward expansion—differ in their portrayal of the impact of westward expansion on Native Americans and settlers. Use text evidence from each excerpt to support your ideas and inferences.
Use this graphic organizer to plan your response:
A – Answer: (think about the tone of each passage and the differences in each writer's experience. Consider the difference in perspective.)

These two passages differ in their reflection of westward expansion because the first experience shows__________________, while the second shows__________________.

C – Concrete details/evidence from passage 1: (what is the BEST quote that demonstrates the specific experience of the writer?

For example, in the first passage the writer states “____________________________.”

E – Explain in your own words: (first, retell the quote in your own words, THEN explain what this communicates to the reader!)

This quote means______________________________, and shows us ______________________.

C – Concrete details/evidence (passage 2)

However, in the second passage the writer says, “_________________________________.”

E – Explain in your own words (retell the quote in your own words, THEN explain what this communicates to the reader!)

This quote means______________________________, and shows us ______________________.

S- Summarize: (What conclusions can you draw about how information can be interpreted? Consider how far perspectives can differ on the same event, and include any final thoughts!)

In conclusion, based on __________________________ and_____________________, we can understand __________________________. Therefore, _________________________________________.

Option 2: Write a paragraph explaining how Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown, through its detailed portrayal of historical events, serves as a work of public advocacy by highlighting the injustices faced by Native American tribes during the late 19th century. Be sure to include text evidence to support your answer. Evidence may come from the excerpt provided above or from a selection of your choice from Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown.
Use this graphic organizer to plan your response:


A – Answer: (Think about what it means to advocate for someone or something; how does hearing about the Indigenous American experience through their first-hand accounts contribute to the reader's understanding of this time in American history?)

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee can serve as a work of public advocacy by showing the injustices of ____________________ through the eyes of ______________________.

C – Concrete details/evidence from passage 1: (what is the BEST quote that demonstrates the specific experience of the writer?)

For example, the writer states “____________________________.”

E – Explain in your own words: (first, retell the quote in your own words, THEN explain what this communicates to the reader!)

This quote means______________________________, and shows us ______________________.

S- Summarize: (What conclusions can you draw about how information can be interpreted? Consider how far perspectives can differ on the same event, and include any final thoughts!)

In conclusion, based on __________________________ and_____________________, we can understand __________________________. Therefore, it is important to consider _________________________________________.

Now put it all together HERE! Be sure to include your CheckMyWork Link at the end of your answer!

Answers

Answered by GPT-4o mini
### Option 1:

A – Answer:
These two passages differ in their reflection of westward expansion because the first experience shows the violent consequences and brutal realities faced by Native Americans, while the second shows the sense of opportunity and optimism that settlers felt during this period.

C – Concrete details/evidence from passage 1:
For example, in the first passage the writer states, “The Indians had been given assurances of protection by the U.S. government, but the soldiers, under Colonel John Chivington, slaughtered over 150 men, women, and children.”

E – Explain in your own words:
This quote means that despite promises from the government, Native Americans were brutally attacked and killed, demonstrating the deceit and violence they endured. This illustrates the profound injustice suffered by indigenous peoples and challenges the idea of manifest destiny celebrated by settlers.

C – Concrete details/evidence (passage 2):
However, in the second passage the writer says, “There was a great sense of hope as we settled this new territory, and I felt proud to be part of making this country great.”

E – Explain in your own words:
This quote means that settlers felt a strong sense of pride and optimism about their role in expanding the country. It communicates a perspective that views westward expansion as a positive endeavor, celebrating individual effort and opportunity, without acknowledging the suffering of Native Americans.

S- Summarize:
In conclusion, based on the contrasting experiences of Native Americans who faced massacre and devastation, and settlers who felt pride in building and claiming new land, we can understand that historical events are subject to varied interpretations. Therefore, it is vital to examine multiple perspectives to appreciate the complexities of history and the impact of colonization on different communities.

### Option 2:

A – Answer:
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee can serve as a work of public advocacy by showing the injustices of westward expansion through the eyes of Native Americans who experienced severe oppression and violence.

C – Concrete details/evidence from passage 1:
For example, the writer states, “Chivington’s men burned the village, mutilated the bodies, and took trophies of the massacre.”

E – Explain in your own words:
This quote means that the soldiers not only attacked the community but also desecrated the dead and destroyed their homes, highlighting the extreme brutality of the massacre. This evokes a sense of horror and injustice, encouraging readers to acknowledge the tragic fate of Native Americans during this period.

S- Summarize:
In conclusion, based on the severe violence illustrated in the account of the Sand Creek Massacre and the systematic oppression faced by Indigenous peoples, we can understand the urgent need for advocacy and awareness of their experiences in history. Therefore, it is important to consider these narratives as essential to understanding the full scope of American history and to foster reconciliation and justice for marginalized communities today.

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